Post by Prime Good on Oct 8, 2007 6:07:58 GMT -5
Filmation's Ghostbusters was an animated television series created by Filmation and launched following the success of the Columbia Pictures live-action Ghostbusters movie. It ran from 1986-1988 in syndication and comprised of 65 episodes. The cartoon was based on a live-action television show from the 1970s titled 'The Ghost Busters'. It is not to be confused with the animated show 'The Real Ghostbusters'; which was based on the 1984 movie 'Ghostbusters'. Columbia Pictures had to obtain the rights to the name from Filmation for its film, and after it was a hit, Filmation went into production with its animated series based on the characters from its series. The series is technically called simply 'Ghostbusters'. The "Filmation's" part of the name is used for home video releases in order to avoid confusion.
Summary
Jake Kong, Eddie Spenser and Tracy the Gorilla are the Ghostbusters. Jake and Eddie were the sons of the original Ghost Busters in the live action series of the same name; Tracy worked with their fathers.
Their headquarters, termed Ghost Command, is located in a haunted mansion nestled between a number of tall skyscrapers (which resemble the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in NYC). They are supported by a number of secondary characters including Ansa-Bone, a talking skull phone; Skelevision, a talking skeleton television; Belfrey, a pink talking bat; and Ghost Buggy, their talking ghost car. They occasionally enlist the aid of Futura, a time travelling Ghostbuster from the future, and Jessica, a local tv news reporter.
Together, they have dedicated themselves to ridding the world of the evil ghost wizard Prime Evil and his cast of henchmen. Prime Evil's headquarters, termed Hauntquarters (which resembles the British Houses of Parliament complete with a Big Ben-esque clock tower), is located in The Fifth Dimension. In a typical episode, Prime Evil uses his magical powers to open up a wormhole to enable one or more of his henchmen to complete a particular scheme that serves to help him take over the world.
Famous guest-star ghosts that appeared on the show include Count Dracula (who is actually a vampire) and the Headless Horseman (who also appeared in an episode of 'The Real Ghostbusters' written by Randy Lofficier).
Like almost all 1980s Filmation cartoons, each episode closes with Skelevision (sometimes accompanied by Belfrey) explaining a particular lesson that can be learned from the events that went on during the episode. From time to time, Jake, Eddie or another good character would talk with Skelevison about the lesson. Also some versions would not have Skelevision.
While 'The Real Ghostbusters' had the catchphrase, "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!", each episode of Filmation's Ghostbusters also used a catchphrase: "Let's Go, Ghostbusters!"
The Real Ghostbusters controversy
The show is also known as 'The Original Ghostbusters' because, when Columbia Pictures released the film 'Ghostbusters' in 1984, it neglected the fact that Filmation had already produced a live-action comedy series with that same name in 1975. Filmation sued Columbia in 1985, and as part of the out-of-court settlement the cartoon based on the Columbia Pictures property could not simply be called 'Ghostbusters'. Columbia proceeded to name their cartoon show 'The Real Ghostbusters' to directly distinguish it from the Filmation show.
Filmation had even gone as far as to attempt to work with Columbia Pictures and had completed initial design work for a cartoon to be based on the movie. Columbia changed its minds, deciding not to work with Filmation, and the proposed deal fell through (Columbia worked with DiC instead). Filmation's Lou Scheimer later admitted "We should have asked for the animation rights for their (Columbia's) Ghostbusters as part of the settlement." This prompted Filmation to create the cartoon based on its former live-action series. The series was a ratings hit until The Real Ghostbusters began to air.
Toys
Many toys were made by Schaper to go along with the series. The action figures were very good likenesses to their cartoon counterparts and included a small comic with each figure which was a shortened version of the first five episodes of the show. The series of figures included Jake, Eddie, Tracy, Futura, Jessica, Belfrey, Brat-A-Rat, Prime Evil, Haunter, Scared Stiff, Mysteria, Fib Face and Fangster. Jake came with a removable ghostpack and dematerializer. Eddie came with a removable ghostpack and Specter Snare. Tracy came with his removable backpack and Ghost Gummer. Due to their small size, Belfrey and Brat-A-Rat were packaged together with a backpack that could be worn by Tracy or Fangster. Prime Evil had a removable cape. There were also several vehicles and playsets that included the Ghost Buggy, Futura's Time Hopper, Prime Evil's Bone Troller playset, the Scare Scooter and the Ghost Command playset. The tagline for the series was "So much fun, it's spooky!"
DVD release information
BCI Eclipse released volume One (a 6 DVD set) on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. It features creator interviews with producer Lou Scheimer, writer Robby London and directors Tom Tataranowicz and Tom Sito, Ghostbusters anti-drug spot, original 10 min presentation of the promo pilot, slideshow storyboard for episode 22 'Laser and Future Rock', image gallery including the original model sheets and sketches, the complete five-episode script for the origin movie collectively known as 'The Revenge of Prime Evil', and a bonus episode of the original live action 'The Ghost Busters' series. Volume 2 was released on July 3rd, 2007. Unlike many of BCI's Filmation releases, with the exception of two episodes ('Tracy Come Back', and 'Like Father, Like Son'), this DVD release appears to have been sourced from the original NTSC prints.
BCI Eclipse release schedule
Ghostbusters: The Animated Series Volume 1
The Ghost Busters: Live Action — The Complete Series.
Ghostbusters: The Animated Series Volume 2
(The animated series was previously released on VHS by Celebrity Home Entertainment's "Just For Kids" imprint.)
Episodes
I'll Be A Son of a Ghostbuster Part 1
Frights of the Roundtable Part 2
No Pharoah At All Part 3
The Secret Of Mastadon Valley Part 4
The Ones Who Saved The Future Part 5
Witch's Stew
Mummy Dearest
Wacky Wax Museum
Statue of Liberty
The Ransom Of Eddie Spenser
Eddie Takes Charge
Tracy, Come Back
A Friend In Need
No Mo' Snow
Prime Evil's Good Deed
The Haunting Of Gizmo
The Headless Horseman Caper
Banish That Banshee
Rollerghoster
He Went Brataway
The Looking-Gla*s Warrior
Laser And Future Rock
Runaway Choo Choo
Dynamite Dinosaurs
Ghostbunglers
My Present To The Future
The Beastly Buggy
Belfry Leads The Way
The Battle For Ghost Command
Going Ape
Cyman's Revenge
Ghostnappers
Inside Out
The Sleeping Dragon
The Phantom Of The Big Apple
Shades Of Dracula
Outlaw In-Laws
Our Buddy Fuddy
Train To Doom-De-Doom-Doom
The Princess And The Troll
Second Chance
The Great Ghost Gorilla
Doggone Werewolf
That's No Alien
Scareplane
The Ghost Of Don Quixote
The White Whale
Whither Why
Knight Of Terror
The Girl Who Cried Vampire
Little Big Rat
Really Roughing It
The Bad Old Days
The Curse Of The Diamond Of Gloom
The Bind That Ties
Like Father Like Son
The Fourth Ghostbuster
Country Goblin
Cold Winter's Night
Father Knows Beast
Back To The Past
Pretend Friends
The Haunted Painting
Maze Caves
The Way You Are
Trivia
Filmation was (in)famous for re-use of stock scenes for its shows to keep down costs. 'Ghostbusters' was no exception, using among others, an extensive sequence where they got their equipment and the Ghost Buggy. In the episode featuring Dracula, Filmation used the model sheets and character design of Drac from the Groovie Goolies, and even used his clumsy bat transformation sequence, banging against the floor and ceiling, changing clumsily from drac to bat.
This was the second collaboration between Pat Fraley and Peter Cullen. Both had been castmates in DIC's Rainbow Brite series. Coincidentally, the original live-action series starred Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch in the lead roles; they were previously castmates in the prime-time sitcom F Troop.
Summary
Jake Kong, Eddie Spenser and Tracy the Gorilla are the Ghostbusters. Jake and Eddie were the sons of the original Ghost Busters in the live action series of the same name; Tracy worked with their fathers.
Their headquarters, termed Ghost Command, is located in a haunted mansion nestled between a number of tall skyscrapers (which resemble the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in NYC). They are supported by a number of secondary characters including Ansa-Bone, a talking skull phone; Skelevision, a talking skeleton television; Belfrey, a pink talking bat; and Ghost Buggy, their talking ghost car. They occasionally enlist the aid of Futura, a time travelling Ghostbuster from the future, and Jessica, a local tv news reporter.
Together, they have dedicated themselves to ridding the world of the evil ghost wizard Prime Evil and his cast of henchmen. Prime Evil's headquarters, termed Hauntquarters (which resembles the British Houses of Parliament complete with a Big Ben-esque clock tower), is located in The Fifth Dimension. In a typical episode, Prime Evil uses his magical powers to open up a wormhole to enable one or more of his henchmen to complete a particular scheme that serves to help him take over the world.
Famous guest-star ghosts that appeared on the show include Count Dracula (who is actually a vampire) and the Headless Horseman (who also appeared in an episode of 'The Real Ghostbusters' written by Randy Lofficier).
Like almost all 1980s Filmation cartoons, each episode closes with Skelevision (sometimes accompanied by Belfrey) explaining a particular lesson that can be learned from the events that went on during the episode. From time to time, Jake, Eddie or another good character would talk with Skelevison about the lesson. Also some versions would not have Skelevision.
While 'The Real Ghostbusters' had the catchphrase, "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!", each episode of Filmation's Ghostbusters also used a catchphrase: "Let's Go, Ghostbusters!"
The Real Ghostbusters controversy
The show is also known as 'The Original Ghostbusters' because, when Columbia Pictures released the film 'Ghostbusters' in 1984, it neglected the fact that Filmation had already produced a live-action comedy series with that same name in 1975. Filmation sued Columbia in 1985, and as part of the out-of-court settlement the cartoon based on the Columbia Pictures property could not simply be called 'Ghostbusters'. Columbia proceeded to name their cartoon show 'The Real Ghostbusters' to directly distinguish it from the Filmation show.
Filmation had even gone as far as to attempt to work with Columbia Pictures and had completed initial design work for a cartoon to be based on the movie. Columbia changed its minds, deciding not to work with Filmation, and the proposed deal fell through (Columbia worked with DiC instead). Filmation's Lou Scheimer later admitted "We should have asked for the animation rights for their (Columbia's) Ghostbusters as part of the settlement." This prompted Filmation to create the cartoon based on its former live-action series. The series was a ratings hit until The Real Ghostbusters began to air.
Toys
Many toys were made by Schaper to go along with the series. The action figures were very good likenesses to their cartoon counterparts and included a small comic with each figure which was a shortened version of the first five episodes of the show. The series of figures included Jake, Eddie, Tracy, Futura, Jessica, Belfrey, Brat-A-Rat, Prime Evil, Haunter, Scared Stiff, Mysteria, Fib Face and Fangster. Jake came with a removable ghostpack and dematerializer. Eddie came with a removable ghostpack and Specter Snare. Tracy came with his removable backpack and Ghost Gummer. Due to their small size, Belfrey and Brat-A-Rat were packaged together with a backpack that could be worn by Tracy or Fangster. Prime Evil had a removable cape. There were also several vehicles and playsets that included the Ghost Buggy, Futura's Time Hopper, Prime Evil's Bone Troller playset, the Scare Scooter and the Ghost Command playset. The tagline for the series was "So much fun, it's spooky!"
DVD release information
BCI Eclipse released volume One (a 6 DVD set) on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. It features creator interviews with producer Lou Scheimer, writer Robby London and directors Tom Tataranowicz and Tom Sito, Ghostbusters anti-drug spot, original 10 min presentation of the promo pilot, slideshow storyboard for episode 22 'Laser and Future Rock', image gallery including the original model sheets and sketches, the complete five-episode script for the origin movie collectively known as 'The Revenge of Prime Evil', and a bonus episode of the original live action 'The Ghost Busters' series. Volume 2 was released on July 3rd, 2007. Unlike many of BCI's Filmation releases, with the exception of two episodes ('Tracy Come Back', and 'Like Father, Like Son'), this DVD release appears to have been sourced from the original NTSC prints.
BCI Eclipse release schedule
Ghostbusters: The Animated Series Volume 1
The Ghost Busters: Live Action — The Complete Series.
Ghostbusters: The Animated Series Volume 2
(The animated series was previously released on VHS by Celebrity Home Entertainment's "Just For Kids" imprint.)
Episodes
I'll Be A Son of a Ghostbuster Part 1
Frights of the Roundtable Part 2
No Pharoah At All Part 3
The Secret Of Mastadon Valley Part 4
The Ones Who Saved The Future Part 5
Witch's Stew
Mummy Dearest
Wacky Wax Museum
Statue of Liberty
The Ransom Of Eddie Spenser
Eddie Takes Charge
Tracy, Come Back
A Friend In Need
No Mo' Snow
Prime Evil's Good Deed
The Haunting Of Gizmo
The Headless Horseman Caper
Banish That Banshee
Rollerghoster
He Went Brataway
The Looking-Gla*s Warrior
Laser And Future Rock
Runaway Choo Choo
Dynamite Dinosaurs
Ghostbunglers
My Present To The Future
The Beastly Buggy
Belfry Leads The Way
The Battle For Ghost Command
Going Ape
Cyman's Revenge
Ghostnappers
Inside Out
The Sleeping Dragon
The Phantom Of The Big Apple
Shades Of Dracula
Outlaw In-Laws
Our Buddy Fuddy
Train To Doom-De-Doom-Doom
The Princess And The Troll
Second Chance
The Great Ghost Gorilla
Doggone Werewolf
That's No Alien
Scareplane
The Ghost Of Don Quixote
The White Whale
Whither Why
Knight Of Terror
The Girl Who Cried Vampire
Little Big Rat
Really Roughing It
The Bad Old Days
The Curse Of The Diamond Of Gloom
The Bind That Ties
Like Father Like Son
The Fourth Ghostbuster
Country Goblin
Cold Winter's Night
Father Knows Beast
Back To The Past
Pretend Friends
The Haunted Painting
Maze Caves
The Way You Are
Trivia
Filmation was (in)famous for re-use of stock scenes for its shows to keep down costs. 'Ghostbusters' was no exception, using among others, an extensive sequence where they got their equipment and the Ghost Buggy. In the episode featuring Dracula, Filmation used the model sheets and character design of Drac from the Groovie Goolies, and even used his clumsy bat transformation sequence, banging against the floor and ceiling, changing clumsily from drac to bat.
This was the second collaboration between Pat Fraley and Peter Cullen. Both had been castmates in DIC's Rainbow Brite series. Coincidentally, the original live-action series starred Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch in the lead roles; they were previously castmates in the prime-time sitcom F Troop.